Jewett City home dedicated to 'veterans helping veterans'

Dozens of area veterans stood alongside local, state and national governmental and military leaders to formally open the American Legion Veterans Housing in Jewett City on Monday. ...

By ALISON SHEA

The Bulletin

By ALISON SHEA

Posted Jun. 12, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jun 12, 2012 at 12:03 PM

By ALISON SHEA

Posted Jun. 12, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jun 12, 2012 at 12:03 PM

Griswold, Conn.

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Dozens of area veterans on Monday stood alongside local, state and national government and military leaders to formally open the American Legion Veterans Housing in Jewett City.

The home is the first of its kind in the country, mixing living space for homeless veterans with a refurbished American Legion Post 15. The post’s common areas are the only parts of the building still incomplete.

Bill Czmyr, who started The American Legion Veterans Housing Inc. (TALVHI) project a decade ago, told the crowd it would give veterans a second chance.

“Somewhere in life, they made a wrong turn, hit a bump or just made a wrong choice,” Czmyr said. “The veterans need our help to get back on track. This is our responsibility.”

While one in 12 United States residents are veterans, one in three homeless people have served in the military, said Eric Chatman, executive director of the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, whose $3.8 million grant financed more than half of the $6.26 million project. He said the disproportionate number of homeless veterans is a national priority.

Moving in this month

Half of the 18 residents slated to move into the complex have been selected and will move in later this month, said Debra Morgan Minzy, of Griswold, the site manager for the Veterans Administration’s housing program.

Two future residents, Norwich native Jay Soulliere and Griswold native Bob Larson, checked out the home they’ll move into in the coming weeks. Larson said he found out two months ago about his placement.

“It looks nice,” he said, smiling as he looked up at the brick building from the sidewalk.

Renovations took 14 months and required contractors to build an entirely new building within the post’s 130-year-old brick shell, as well as a 10,600-square-foot addition.

Eight fully furnished apartments are in the original building, and 10 more — including two that are fully handicapped-accessible — are in the addition, connected to the main building by a breezeway. The furniture and furnishings were donated by community groups and businesses.

The home also will function as a support system for veterans, with counselors from Norwich’s Reliance House and doctors from the Veterans Administration slated to visit residents.

National model

The model is innovative and catching on. Czmyr said he’s already fielded inquiries from veterans groups in Florida, California and New York City.

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“To say we swell with pride is an understatement,” Griswold First Selectman Philip Anthony said.

Wayne Morgan, the senior vice commander for the state American Legion, said the project should serve as an inspiration for other veterans groups.

“That’s what we’re about,” he said, “Veterans helping veterans.”

Kevin Wakely, of Canterbury, a ride captain from the Patriot Guard riders, said it was an honor to stand in the flag line near the back of the ceremony.

“It’s such a worthy cause,” he said. “There are far too many homeless vets, so anything we can do to bring awareness to that, we should.”